Sadie O'Green Book

My friend wrote a book, check it out!

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Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Age Group: Toddler

Read the book with your child and then act it out with them. You can have them use their hands, feet, or a paintbrush to mix the colors. Discuss with your child that by mixing the colors it creates new and different colors.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Age Group: Toddler

Read the book and then make a caterpillar out of an old sock
Place the sock on your hand and allow the child to feed the caterpillar the foods that are used in the story. You can use play food or other substitutes.

Cook using Recipes

Age Group: Preschool/Kindergarten

Have your child assist you in cooking and following a recipe. You could make something by following a recipe. Make it clear to your child that you are following a recipe. This will help introduce them to using step-by-step instructions. Discuss the results of following the directions of the recipe and the end result.

Ideas that are fun for children to make are cupcakes, playdough, or pizza. There are many other things that could also be fun for children to take part in making.

Olivia, Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and more

Age group: All
Literacy can be encouraged by reading different books that include the same characters. These can include books like Olivia, by Ian Falconer or Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny by Mo Williems. There are also many more that can be purchased or checked out at your local library! Each of these characters have two or more books they star in. Often times children can find characters that they enjoy and are able to relate to.

Collage

Age group: toddler/preschool/prek/k

Children can learn about literacy through looking through magazines and noticing the different letters and pictures that they see. Young children can be aided by an adult so they can cut the paper. Older children can practice letter's by finding a picture they like and finding the first letter for word. For example, if your child loves dogs they could find pictures of dogs and cut those out. Then they could cut out a "D".

Create a book about your child

Age Group: Any
Create a book about your child to get them excited about reading! There are several ways that you can create a book; you can use photos, drawings, it can be done electronically, or with paper and writing utensils.

Grocery Lists!

Age Group: Preschool/Kindergarten
Children this age are more advanced in their literacy skills and enjoy being self-sufficient. Include your child in everyday errands and activities such as creating a grocery list. Encourage your child to help write the list, or to create their own "list" which may include pictures and/or words. These words do not have to be conventional to be meaningful to your child. By including your child in this process they can become aware of one of the many purposes of writing; making lists.

Fingerplay and Songs

Age group: Toddler/Preschool/Kindergarten

Children love singing songs and poems. Think of using songs and poems as introducing children to language. Language exposure is important for young children. Capitalize on your child's interests and use songs about things they like.

Pictured above is a storyboard that depicts the song-like poem "Five Little Pumpkins".

You can take the pumpkins on and off of the storyboard as they are attached with velcro. An alternative idea to the storyboard for the poem "Five Little Pumpkins" easily used at home is to use your hand.


Lyrics for "Five Little Pumpkins"

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, “Oh my, it’s getting late.”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air.”
The third one said, “But we don’t care.”
The fourth one said, “Let’s have some fun.”
The fifth one said, “Let’s run, run, run.”
Whoooo went the wind and out went the light.
And the five little pumpkins rolled right out of sight.


Reference:
Cryer, D., Harms, T., & Bourland, B. (1987). Active learning for ones. Menlo Park, Calif.: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.

Read Aloud/Shared Reading/Independent Reading

Age Group: Preschool/Kindergarten (3-5)

Allowing children to feel empowered by reading can be beneficial. Do not force them or expect them to be able to read. First, as caregivers read books to them. Introduce them to literature early in their life. Around preschool age if they do take the initiative like this child in the video, then encourage the children by listening. At first try not to point out every single thing they are doing wrong because it may shy them away and minimize their level of confidence. Take note of the child's mistakes and come up with strategies to teach them to become better readers. When teachers and parents know what mistakes their children are making it is easier to invent or find appropriate strategies to help them learn to reduce their mistakes. Gradually, introduce a variety of new books to children. The rhythm in some books may help him learn to read other words other than just letters. The pictures and colors may give young readers cues. There are many ways that children learn to read. Just be mindful and aware of the variety of ways that can help your child become literate.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Age: Toddler/ Preschool

You can read this book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You see? by Eric Carle and then make a book with your child by having them draw their own animals like the ones in the book. You could also create a book that includes your family and/or friends. This may be something like "Momma, momma what do you see? Momma see's Daddy looking at me".

Five Little Monkeys!

Age group:

Infant/toddler/preschool

Sing the song, "Five Little Monkeys" while doing various activities. Parents can sing this song or others like it, for example, "Wheels on the Bus" while cooking dinner, eating dinner or riding in the car. I found this is helpful while I babysit because singing a song while I can the kids faces'.

In addition to singing, you can read these books to you children so they are able to hear the song and see the pictures!

Ten Little Lady Bugs by Melanie Gerth

Age Group: Infants & toddlers

Ten Little Lady Bugs introduces concepts of literacy and math in a fun and engaging way. This book is great for reading with your child because it supports contribution from both the parent and child. By encouraging your child to touch and feel the 3-D ladybugs, you can begin to show them how they are able to contribute (through backwards counting) and to reading and understanding book handling.

You can also read Five Little Ladybugs, or Five Silly Monkeys and Five Wishing Stars. These are books also written by the same author, that incorporate the same ideas as Ten Little Ladybugs, but focus on the numbers 1-5.

Finger Play

I Love Hugs by Lara Jones

Age group: Infants & Toddlers

I Love Hugs introduces situations that may be appropriate for giving hugs, further showing children when they might give hugs in their own life. By reading this book to your child, you can model and encourage them to give hugs during and after the story. This reading response can help introduce the concept of hugging in a way that involves literacy and active involvement of both parents and child.